Blackjack Math

Add using simple fractions in this fun math card game. All you need is a deck of cards, and you're ready to begin! This game is very similar to Blackjack, or 21, but it's entirely kid friendly.

Players will need to carefully calculate the value of their hands and decide whether or not they'd like more cards. This activity is an excellent way to help second graders develop reasoning skills and improve their understanding of fractions.

What You Need:

What You Do:

For the purposes of this game, aces = 1 or 11.

Deal two cards to each player. Encourage the players to use mental math to add their cards.

The goal of the game is to come the closest to 21. In each round, players can request another card from the dealer. Players can also stop playing whenever they'd like by placing their cards face up on the table.

Inform the players that they may play for as many rounds as they'd like.

When all players have laid out their cards, it's time to count up the hands and decide who's won! Let the kids do the calculating and figure out which player has come the closest to 21. That player who has receives a point. If there's a tie, both players earn points.

Play until the deck runs out, or shuffle the deck and keep playing until the players have had their fill.